At least 534 undergraduates of different institutions of higher learning, yesterday, received more than N100m for emerging successful in the 2024 edition of the Monday Onyeme Foundation’s scholarship scheme.
The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, who is the initiator of the scholarship scheme presented the cheques to the beneficiaries at the well-attended occasion which took place at Asaba.
Each of the successful students got the sum of N200, 000 with the overall best receiving the sum of N600, 000; second best, N500, 000 and overall third position, N400, 000.
The deputy governor, charged students to always put in their best in their studies, stating, “Be the best in what you do. I want to specifically appreciate everybody who came here to felicitate with us and to witness this memorable occasion.
“This is the first time that we are holding this kind of function in Asaba; before now, it used to be held only in Ndokwa West Local Government Area but God has given us the grace to go beyond Ndokwa.
“This scheme started in 2016 in just one ward; that is, Ward 5 in Ndokwa West Local Government Area. We did that for about three years in one ward, then in 2019, we decided to move from one Ward to three Local Government Areas; Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East and Ukwani.
“We did that in the three local government areas from 2019 to 2023 and it became necessary to expand the scheme beyond the three local government areas. We are very grateful to God that for the 2024 edition, we took the bold step and today we are in the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District.
”Apart from this scholarship program, we are into book distribution to primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Over the years, we have distributed 100, 000 exercise books and over 40, 000 textbooks have been distributed to various Institutions within the three Senatorial Districts of Delta State.
“For this 2024 edition of the scholarship scheme, with the power of God Almighty and His benevolence, we were giving N100,000 per student, but this time around, and for the first time, we are giving N200,000 per student.
“Also, because we have expanded, the number has also increased from what we used to have annually; this time around, we have 534 successful students. Over the years, we have always called on corporate bodies and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with the foundation so that we can reach out to more people, I am happy to announce that this year, we have the highest number of people who came out voluntarily to partner with us.
“Aside from my humble self, the partnership from well-meaning Nigerians, especially, Nigerians of Ndokwa extraction assisted greatly in helping this foundation. So, with the help of Ndokwa sons and daughters and some non-Ndokwa people we were able to raise over N40 million and, I say, may God bless all the contributors.
“This is something that we should all do because if we do it, we will make Nigeria safer, more peaceful and more prosperous. If we help ourselves in any small way that we can this country will be better.”
“Once again, from the bottom of my heart, I deeply appreciate all those who have contributed to making this scheme possible because sometimes one can’t do everything but if we put our heads together, put our efforts together, pull our resources together, we can do better.”
One of the overall best students, Nwamaka Oweka, from the University of Benin, said that she was overwhelmed with joy and very grateful to the Deputy Governor, and the Monday Onyeme Foundation.
She said that it was God who made it possible for her to come out first position in the aptitude test, and the money received from the foundation would go a long way in assisting her in her education.
Oweka, a student of Medicine and Surgery, disclosed that she has been a beneficiary of the Sir Monday Onyeme Scholarship scheme since she was in her second year and prayed to God to bless the Deputy Governor for the scholarship scheme.
Another beneficiary, Joel Uzor from the University Of Nigeria Nsukka expressed gratitude to God and Sir Monday Onyeme, for the initiative. He said that it was a great opportunity that he would use wisely to enable him to complete his educational pursuit.
Also, Comrade Kenneth Okechukwu, a parent to one of the beneficiaries said he was grateful to the Deputy Governor for using his position to impact positively on lives.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Monday Onyeme Foundation, Mr Leo Ubuane said, “We received 2,500 applications out of which 1, 586 were shortlisted to write the Aptitude Test held in Kwale, Asaba and Agbor respectively.
“534 persons who are from all the wards in Delta North Senatorial District passed the test.”
